Our prediction for this Netherlands Eredivisie match:
Ajax will be looking to retain top position in the standings when they host Utrecht at their Johan Cruijff Arena on Matchday 21. The Amsterdammers rolled over AZ Alkmaar 3-0 at the weekend, and they are now eyeing their sixth consecutive win in the Eredivisie. Left-back Tagliafico missed the AZ game with an eye injury, but he should recover in time to face Utrecht. Brazil rising star Antony, who found the net at the weekend, will be one of the men to watch in the home team.
The Domstedelingen, on the other hand, head into the match following a 3-3 draw with Zwolle. Utrecht recorded three wins in the previous four league fixtures, and seeing that they looked sharp in front of goal in the Dutch Cup defeat (4-5) to Ajax in December, 2020, we are tempted to put our money on over 2.5 goals. The likes of Bergstrom, Elia, Gustafson, and Mahi are all likely to miss the game with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Daley Blind):
Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands on March 9, 1990, Daley Blind is a professional footballer who plays for Eredivisie club Ajax. Blind is a product of the famous football school, and he made his debut with the Amsterdammers on December 7, 2018, against Volendam.
After a short loan spell with Groningen, Daley Blind join Premier League giants Manchester United for a fee of £13.8 million in August, 2014. After scoring four goals in 90 league appearances for the Red Devils, the Dutch footballer returned to Ajax in the summer of 2018. Speaking of his international career, Daley Blind made his Netherlands debut on February 6, 2013 in a 1-1 draw with Italy.
The following year the left-footed footballer represented Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup. He opened his goal-scoring account with the Oranje in a 3-0 loss to Brazil in the third-place play-off. As for his personal life, it has to be noted that Daley Blind is the son of the former Ajax defenders and the Netherlands boss Danny Blind.
Highlighted Team (Utrecht):
Established on July 1, 1970, Utrecht is a Dutch club that competes in the Eredivisie. The club was founded as a merger of VV DOS, USV Elinkwijk, and Velox, and it has to be noted that VV DOS did well to win the Eredivisie trophy back in 1958.
Utrecht, on the other hand, have yet to win the national championship, but they have lifted three KNVB Cup trophies (1984/85, 2002/03, 2003/04). Leo van Veen is leading the club’s all-time goal-scoring chart with 153 goals. Speaking of the club’s colours, they were white and red shirts when playing at home, while blue is the dominant colour of their away jersey.
Due to the hooligan clashes, Utrecht have a rivalry with Dutch giants Ajax. The games between the two clubs have always been very tense on the field. Utrecht welcome their rivals at Stadion Galgenwaard, the venue which can hold up to 23,750 people. The stadium was opened back in May 1936.